Issue 1 | August 2026
Welcome to the very first edition of The Curious Column! We're so glad you're here.
At Curious Whisker Press, we believe some of life's best adventures begin with a simple question. Whether it's noticing an unfamiliar bird, wondering why a flower blooms the way it does, or discovering something unexpected in your own backyard, curiosity has a way of turning ordinary moments into extraordinary ones.
Each month, we'll share behind-the-scenes updates from Curious Whisker Press, a few everyday discoveries that sparked our curiosity, and stories from the people (and pets) who make this little press what it is. We hope you'll leave each issue inspired to slow down, look a little closer, and ask a few more questions of your own.
Thank you for joining us at the beginning of this adventure. We're excited to share the journey with you.
Have any questions? Contact us at hello@curiouswhiskerpress.com
🐾Hot Off the Press
It's been an exciting summer at Curious Whisker Press! Here are a few of the milestones we're celebrating—and sneak peeks into what's coming next.
Charlie's first adventure is in progress.
Kimberly has completed her first professional edit of the manuscript, and the thoughtful feedback is helping her strengthen the story while preserving the quiet, curious heart that inspired it.
Illustrations will begin next month.
In September, our illustrator will start bringing Charlie and his world to life in watercolor. After years of imagining these scenes, we're excited to take this next big step toward seeing the finished book.
Our website is live!
Curious Whisker Press officially has an online home. The website is where you'll find our latest updates, blog posts, and more about the stories we're creating. Eventually, it will also be where you can find our books!
And finally... our first newsletter!
Thank you for joining us for the very first edition of The Curious Column. We're grateful to have you here at the beginning and look forward to sharing what’s coming next.
🔎Curious Whisker Moments
One of our favorite things about curiosity is that it doesn't require an expensive trip or a grand adventure. Sometimes it begins with an ordinary moment that makes your whiskers twitch to find out more. Here are a few things that sparked our curiosity this month.
🌿 Kimberly's Curious Whisker Moment
A few weeks ago, I noticed something unusual growing over our backyard fence. It looked like a bumpy green cucumber growing on a vine, but I had no idea what it was. Naturally, I had to find out.
It turned out to be bitter melon! I discovered that when it's still green, it's commonly used in savory dishes around the world. If it's left on the vine, though, it transforms—turning bright yellow before splitting open to reveal brilliant red seeds inside. It almost looks like something from another planet!
I love moments like these because they remind me that curiosity doesn't always take us somewhere new. Sometimes it simply takes looking a little closer at what's been there all along.
🪐 Elena's Curious Whisker Moment
It’s a warm August evening in Texas, my dog is sniffing at something in the grass, and I see a vibrant crescent moon with a bright dot of light right above it. I’m taken back to summer camp, start humming a song about a girl and a boy in a little canoe, with the moon shining all around. Then, a vague memory of the bright planet Venus, myself and the other girls exclaiming over getting to actually see one of our solar system neighbors.
A quick search confirms that it is, in fact, Venus that I see tonight. The moon’s cozy summer companion. It feels fitting, to see the hottest planet in the solar system so clearly this time of year.
Did you know that one day on Venus is roughly 243 Earth days? Today is day 227 of 2026, so it’s about the same time on Venus as it is when I’m writing this, that peaceful time of night when I’m just getting sleepy and the world outside is so quiet. The perfect time to write, if I do say so myself.
I wonder, if there were people living on Venus, would they stay up late to write about the night sky, too?
What made you curious this month?
We'd love to hear! Hit "Reply" and tell us about something you noticed, wondered about, or learned recently. Your curiosity might even inspire a future Curious Whisker Moment!
🐾Behind the Whiskers
By: Kimberly Welsh
One of my favorite parts of each day happens before the world fully wakes up.
Most mornings, you'll find me walking 3½ to 4 miles with my dogs, Yuuki and Bart. Those quiet miles have become more than exercise—they're where I do some of my best thinking. New ideas find their way into my head, problems seem a little easier to solve, and I almost always notice something I would have missed if I'd stayed inside.
Back at home, I've been learning a new skill: video editing. If you've watched any of our recent behind-the-scenes videos, you've seen the results! It's been both challenging and rewarding to discover another creative outlet while sharing the journey of bringing Charlie's adventures to life.
As summer begins to wind down, I'm also getting ready for another milestone—my son's senior year of high school. Like many seasons in life, this one feels exciting and bittersweet all at once. It's a gentle reminder to slow down, appreciate the ordinary moments, and enjoy them while they're here.
Thank you for being part of this adventure. I'm looking forward to sharing many more curious moments with you in the months ahead.
🌿Keep Exploring
The adventure doesn't end here! If you'd like to follow along between newsletters, we'd love to connect with you.
🌐 Explore Our Website
Find our latest publishing updates, learn more about Charlie, and discover everything happening at Curious Whisker Press. Visit our website.
📚 Read the Blog
Go beyond the books with posts about the publishing journey, our creative inspiration, and other stories from the Curious Whisker team.
📱 Follow Our Journey
Join us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok for even more Curious Whisker content. Our social media is where you will get the first updates on publishing, behind-the-scenes moments, and even more curious whisker moments between newsletters.
🐈⬛About Curious Whisker Press
Curious Whisker Press creates children's books that transform everyday moments into adventures. Through gentle storytelling, we encourage readers of all ages to slow down, observe the world around them, ask questions, and discover the wonder hiding in ordinary moments.
Kimberly and Elena Welsh are the two-person team putting their paws to the ground to run the press. You can learn more about us here.
🌼Something to Wonder About…
What have you walked past a hundred times without really noticing?
You might be surprised by what you discover when you stop to take a closer look.
Stay curious,
Kimberly Welsh
Founder | Curious Whisker Press
📧 Questions or comments? I’d love to hear from you! hello@curiouswhiskerpress.com
